JP3866189B2

JP3866189B2 - Fixing mechanism of rotation controller

Info

Publication number: JP3866189B2
Application number: JP2002348312A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 武志丸本
Original assignee: Kyocera Mita Corp
Current assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-29
Also published as: JP2004183691A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、プリンタ、複写機及びファクシミリなどの静電式画像形成装置に適用しうる回転制御機の固定機構、例えば電磁制御ばねクラッチの固定機構に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
画像形成装置、例えば静電式複写機には、レジストローラ対や搬送ローラ対など各種の用紙搬送ローラが配設されている。これらのローラのうちのいくつかは、回転制御機、例えば電磁クラッチ（電磁制御ばねクラッチ）を介して電動モータなどの駆動源に駆動結合されている。上記形態のローラ対、例えばレジストローラ対の駆動側の中心軸（以下「ローラ軸と略称する」）は、複写機本体内に配設された一対の側壁間に回転自在に支持され、ローラ軸の一端部は側壁の一方の外側に突出させられている。それ自体は周知の構成を有する電磁クラッチの中心部には嵌合孔が形成されており、電磁クラッチは、この嵌合孔がローラ軸の突出させられた一端部に挿入されることにより、ローラ軸に対し相対回転自在にかつ軸方向に相対移動可能に支持される。
【０００３】
電磁クラッチのケースには、軸方向に見て、ほぼＵ形状をなす被係止部材が半径方向外方に延び出すよう一体に配設されている。複写機本体側の静止枠である上記側壁の一方には、係止部材が、電磁クラッチのケースの半径方向外方を軸方向に延び出すよう配設されている。電磁クラッチは、ローラ軸に支持された状態で、その被係止部材のＵ形状の溝部が上記側壁の一方に配設された係止部材に係止されることにより、ローラ軸に対する相対回転が規制される（特許文献１）。他方、電磁クラッチの、ローラ軸に対する軸方向の相対移動は、ローラ軸に環状溝を形成し、この環状溝にＥリングや合成樹脂製のストップリングを嵌合することにより規制される。
【０００４】
このように、従来において、電磁クラッチの回転方向の移動規制及び軸方向の移動規制は、被係止部材及び係止部材の他に、Ｅリングや合成樹脂製のストップリングなどの固定用別部材を必要とするので、部品点数が多くなる。また、電磁クラッチの軸方向の移動を規制するためにＥリングを使用する場合には、比較的安価で固定性に優れ、確実な抜け止め効果が得られる反面、その着脱に特別な工具を必要とするので着脱操作が面倒である。更にはまた、電磁クラッチの軸方向の移動を規制するために合成樹脂製のストップリングを使用する場合には、特別な工具を必要とせず、指先で着脱できるので着脱性に優れている反面、Ｅリングよりもコストが高くなる。更にはまた、Ｅリング又は合成樹脂製のストップリングを使用する場合には、ローラ軸に環状溝を形成する必要があり、生産工数が増加する。更にはまた、Ｅリング又は合成樹脂製のストップリングを使用する場合には、サービスマンによる部品交換作業などに際し、それらの部品が紛失するおそれがあるので部品の管理が煩雑となる。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開昭６２−２２４７３２号公報（第１図）
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明の目的は、回転制御機の回転方向の移動規制及び軸方向の移動規制を、Ｅリングや合成樹脂製のストップリングなどの固定用別部材を使用することなく、回転制御機に設けた被係止部材及び静止枠手段に設けた係止部材だけで容易かつ確実に行うことを可能にして、最低限のコストで、優れた固定機能及び着脱操作性を確保すると共に、煩雑な部品管理も必要としない、新規な回転制御機の固定機構を提供することである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明によれば、支持壁手段に支持された軸に相対回転自在にかつ離脱自在に挿入される回転制御機の固定機構であって、
回転制御機のケースには、所定の幅をもって半径方向外方に延び出すと共に幅方向両側面が実質的に回転軸の接線方向に向けられた被係止板部材が一体に配設され、回転制御機の近傍に配設された静止枠手段には、静止枠手段からケースの半径方向外方を所定の幅をもって軸方向に相互に平行にかつ相互に該接線方向に間隔をおいて延び出す一対の係止板部材が配設され、係止板部材の各々の幅方向両側面は該接線方向に向けられると共に各々の先端部において相互に対向する側縁部には係止溝が形成され、
係止板部材の各々のうちのいずれか一方を実質的に該軸の半径方向外方及び内方に塑性変形させることにより各々の係止溝を回転制御機の被係止板部材の先端部における両側縁部に係合させて、回転制御機の回転方向及び軸方向の移動を規制する、
ことを特徴とする回転制御機の固定機構、が提供される。
回転制御機は、画像形成装置の電磁制御ばねクラッチである、ことが好ましい。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に従って構成された回転制御機の固定機構の好適な実施の形態を、添付図面を参照して更に詳細に説明する。
【０００９】
図１を参照して、図示しない画像形成装置の本体内には、図示しない支持壁手段を構成する一対の側壁が相互に対向して配設され、側壁の各々間には、図示しない搬送ローラがその軸２を介して回転自在に支持されている。搬送ローラの軸（回転軸）２の一端部は、図示しない側壁の一方から側外方に突出させられている。軸２の該一端部には回転制御機、図示の実施形態においては電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０が相対回転自在に支持される。それ自体は周知の構成を有する電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０はケース１２を備えている。円形の外周面を有するケース１２内には、電磁コイルを収容したボビン、アマチュア、一対のボス部材、ボス部材の各々の外周面に跨って巻き掛けられたコイルばね、入力部材である入力歯車（いずれも図示せず）などが共通の軸線上に配列されて内蔵され、中心部には上記軸２に対し離脱自在に嵌合しうる嵌合孔１４が形成されている。嵌合孔１４は、ケース１２に内蔵された部材のうちの複数の回転部材により形成される。軸２の該一端部（最端部）は、いわゆるＤカット形状をなし、嵌合孔１４の一部もこれに対応した形状をなしている。
【００１０】
ケース１２の軸方向の一端面の周縁部には、適宜の金属板からなる被係止板部材２０がケース１２と一体に配設されている。図示の実施形態において、被係止板部材２０は、軸方向に見てほぼＵ形状をなし、所定の幅（全幅）をもって半径方向外方に延び出すと共に幅方向両側面２２及び２４が実質的に嵌合孔１４の接線方向（したがって軸２の接線方向）に向けられている。被係止板部材２０は、そのＵ形状をなす基部がケース１２の軸方向の一端面に固定されている。
【００１１】
画像形成装置の本体内であって、上記側壁の一方の外側には、静止枠手段を構成する静止枠板部材３０が配設されている。適宜の金属板からなる静止枠板部材３０には、塑性変形可能な一対の係止板部材３２及び３４が一体に形成されている。それぞれ平面形状が細長い矩形状をなす係止板部材３２及び３４の各々は、静止枠板部材３０からケース１２の半径方向外方を所定の幅をもって軸方向に直線状に相互に平行にかつ相互に該接線方向に間隔をおいて延び出している。係止板部材３２の幅方向両側面３２ａ及び３２ｂ、及び、係止板部材３４の幅方向両側面３４ａ及び３４ｂはそれぞれ該接線方向に向けられると共に各々の先端部において相互に対向する側縁部（相互に対向する側面３２ｂ及び３４ｂを含む側縁部）には、それぞれチャンネル形状の係止溝３２ｃ及び３４ｃが形成されている。係止溝３２ｃ及び３４ｃの各々の開放端及び閉塞端は相互に対向するよう配置され、係止溝３２ｃ及び３４ｃの各々の幅は、上記被係止板部材２０の板厚よりも若干大きく形成され、係止溝３２ｃ及び３４ｃの各々の閉塞端間の距離は、上記被係止板部材２０の全幅よりも若干大きく形成されている。上記のように構成された係止板部材３２及び３４の各々のうちのいずれか一方、実施形態においては片方の係止板部材３２は、その基端を支点として先端部が表裏面方向（図１において上下方向）に塑性変形しうるよう、その材料、長さ、幅及び板厚などが設定される。係止板部材３２及び３４の各々の表裏面方向は、軸２の半径方向に対向するよう位置付けられるので、片方の係止板部材３２は、その基端を支点として先端部が実質的に該半径方向に移動して塑性変形される。なお、この実施形態において、係止板部材３２及び３４は静止枠板部材３０に一体に形成されているが、係止板部材３２及び３４を一体に形成した板部材を、静止枠板部材３０に取り付けるよう構成してもよい。また、静止枠板部材３０又は係止板部材３２及び３４を、軸２を支持する図示しない側壁に一体又は別部材として配設してもよい。
【００１２】
電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０は、上記嵌合孔１４を軸２の一端部の所定位置に挿入することにより、軸２に対し相対回転自在にかつ軸方向に相対移動可能に支持される。この挿入動作は、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０のケース１２に固定された被係止板部材２０が静止枠板部材３０に形成された係止板部材３２及び３４の各々に干渉しないよう、それらに対し、被係止板部材２０を周方向にずらせて行なう。電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０が軸２に挿入されて相対回転自在にかつ軸方向に相対移動可能に支持される前にあらかじめ、静止枠板部材３０に形成された係止板部材３２及び３４の各々のうちのいずれか一方、実施形態においては片方の係止板部材３２を、その表裏方向であって軸２に対し半径方向外方に力を加えて、図示しない退避位置まで一時的に塑性変形させておく（又は該挿入後に塑性変形させてもよい）。
【００１３】
続いて、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０を軸２まわりに図１において時計方向に回動させる。この回動は、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０のケース１２に固定された被係止板部材２０が、退避位置まで一時的に塑性変形された片方の係止板部材３２の、半径方向内方位置を周方向に通過するように行う。被係止板部材２０は、片方の係止板部材３２に干渉することなく回動させられる。被係止板部材２０の、回動方向の前側に位置する側面２４の先端部における側縁部（側面２４を含む側縁部）が、塑性変形させられていない他方の係止板部材３４の係止溝３４ｃに係止され、該回動が阻止される。続いて、退避位置まで塑性変形させられている片方の係止板部材３２を、逆方向（軸２に対し、半径方向外方から内方、すなわち軸２に接近する方向）に力を加えることにより元の成形時の状態に塑性変形させる。この復帰動作により、片方の係止板部材３２の係止溝３２ｃが、被係止板部材２０の、上記回動方向の後側に位置する側面２２の先端部における側縁部（側面２２を含む側縁部）に、その先端から係合させられる。被係止板部材２０の先端部における両側面２２、２４及び表裏面を含む両側縁部は、係止板部材３２及び３４の係止溝３２ｃ及び３４ｃによって挟まれるので、被係止板部材２０の、軸２に対する回転方向及び軸方向の移動が規制される。したがって、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の、軸２に対する回転方向及び軸方向の移動がしっかりと規制される。電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０を軸２から離脱させる場合には、上記装着操作と実質的に逆の操作を行えばよい。このように、本発明によれば、係止板部材３２及び３４のうちのいずれか一方を、軸２の半径方向外方及び内方に塑性変形させるだけで電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の、軸２に対する回転方向及び軸方向の移動をしっかりと規制できるので、実用上、きわめて有用である。
【００１４】
なお、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０を軸２に嵌合させると、軸２は、ケース１２に内蔵された各部材（特に回転部材）の中心孔に嵌合支持される。軸２は、コイルばねが巻き掛けられた一対のボス部材のうちの（出力部材を構成する）に対し相対回転できないよう駆動結合される（上記したＤカット部による）が、他の部材に対しては、相対回転可能である。軸２が駆動結合されるボス部材の一方（出力部材を構成する）は、ケース１２に対し相対回転自在であるので、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０が軸２に嵌合されただけの状態では、軸２に対し、実質的に回転方向及び軸方向の移動は規制されない。入力部材である入力歯車は、画像形成装置本体に配設された伝動歯車に駆動結合される。
【００１５】
上記した電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の固定機構によれば、静止枠板部材３０に配設された係止板部材３２及び３４の各々のうちのいずれか一方を実質的に軸２の半径方向外方及び内方に塑性変形させることにより各々の係止溝３２ｃ及び３４ｃを電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の被係止板部材２０の先端部における両側縁部に係合させて、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の回転方向及び軸方向の移動を規制することができる。その結果、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の回転方向の移動規制及び軸方向の移動規制を、従来におけるごとく、Ｅリングや合成樹脂製のストップリングなどの固定用別部材を使用することなく、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０に設けた被係止部材２０及び静止枠板部材３０に設けた係止板部材３２及び３４だけで容易かつ確実に行うことが可能になる。また、部品点数が少なくなり、コストダウンが達成される。更にはまた、Ｅリングを使用しないので、特別な工具を使用する必要もなくなり、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の着脱操作が著しく容易となる。更にはまた、軸２に、Ｅリング又は合成樹脂製のストップリングを装着するための環状溝を形成する必要もなくなるので、生産工数を低減することができ、この面においてもコストダウンが達成される。更にはまた、Ｅリングや合成樹脂製のストップリングを使用する必要がなくなるので、サービスマンによる部品交換作業などに際し、それらの部品が紛失するおそれもなくなり、部品の管理も容易となる。
【００１６】
上記実施形態において、回転制御機は電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０により構成されているが、上記したのと実質的に同じような技術的課題を有する回転制御機であれば、他の形態（例えば、ばねを使用しない電磁クラッチ）であっても、本発明が適用しうることはいうまでもない。また、上記実施形態において、電磁制御ばねクラッチ１０の被係止板部材２０は、ほぼ鉛直方向の上方に向けられているが、軸２を中心としてどの方向に向けられてもよい。静止枠板部材３０に配設される係止板部材３２及び３４の各々は、被係止板部材２０の向きに対応した位置に配置されることはいうまでもない。
【００１７】
【発明の効果】
本発明による回転制御機の固定機構によれば、回転制御機の回転方向の移動規制及び軸方向の移動規制を、Ｅリングや合成樹脂製のストップリングなどの固定用別部材を使用することなく、回転制御機に設けた被係止部材及び静止枠手段に設けた係止部材だけで容易かつ確実に行うことを可能にして、最低限のコストで、優れた固定機能及び着脱操作性を確保すると共に、煩雑な部品管理も必要としない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に従って構成された回転制御機の固定機構の好適実施形態を示す斜視図概略図。
【符号の説明】
２軸（回転軸）
１０電磁制御ばねクラッチ
１２ケース
１４嵌合孔
２０被係止板部材
２２、２４被係止板部材の側面
３０静止枠板部材
３２、３４係止板部材
３２ａ、３２ｂ、３４ａ、３４ｂ係止板部材の側面
３２ｃ、３４ｃ係止溝[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rotation control machine fixing mechanism, for example, an electromagnetic control spring clutch fixing mechanism, which can be applied to electrostatic image forming apparatuses such as printers, copying machines, and facsimiles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus, for example, an electrostatic copying machine, is provided with various paper conveyance rollers such as a registration roller pair and a conveyance roller pair. Some of these rollers are drivingly coupled to a driving source such as an electric motor via a rotation controller, for example, an electromagnetic clutch (electromagnetic control spring clutch). A central axis on the driving side of the roller pair of the above-described form, for example, a registration roller pair (hereinafter, abbreviated as “roller shaft”) is rotatably supported between a pair of side walls disposed in the copying machine main body. One end of the projection is protruded to the outside of one of the side walls. A fitting hole is formed in the central part of the electromagnetic clutch having a known structure per se, and the electromagnetic clutch is inserted into one end portion of the roller shaft which is protruded, so that the roller It is supported so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft and to be relatively movable in the axial direction.
[0003]
In the electromagnetic clutch case, a substantially U-shaped locked member is integrally disposed so as to extend outward in the radial direction when viewed in the axial direction. A locking member is arranged on one side of the side wall, which is a stationary frame on the copying machine main body side, so as to extend radially outward of the electromagnetic clutch case in the axial direction. When the electromagnetic clutch is supported by the roller shaft, the U-shaped groove of the member to be locked is locked by the locking member disposed on one of the side walls, so that the relative rotation with respect to the roller shaft is prevented. It is regulated (Patent Document 1). On the other hand, the relative movement of the electromagnetic clutch in the axial direction with respect to the roller shaft is restricted by forming an annular groove in the roller shaft and fitting an E-ring or a synthetic resin stop ring in the annular groove.
[0004]
As described above, conventionally, the movement restriction in the rotational direction and the movement restriction in the axial direction of the electromagnetic clutch are not limited to the locked member and the locking member, but are also separate fixing members such as an E ring and a synthetic resin stop ring. Therefore, the number of parts increases. In addition, when using an E-ring to regulate the axial movement of the electromagnetic clutch, it is relatively inexpensive and has excellent fixability, while providing a reliable retaining effect, but requires a special tool for its attachment / detachment. Therefore, the attaching / detaching operation is troublesome. Furthermore, when using a synthetic resin stop ring to regulate the movement of the electromagnetic clutch in the axial direction, it does not require a special tool and can be attached and detached with a fingertip, but is excellent in detachability, Cost is higher than E-ring. Furthermore, when using an E ring or a stop ring made of synthetic resin, it is necessary to form an annular groove on the roller shaft, which increases the number of production steps. Furthermore, when an E-ring or a synthetic resin stop ring is used, parts may be lost during parts replacement work by a service person, so that the management of the parts becomes complicated.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-224732 (FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The object of the present invention is to provide the rotation controller with movement control in the rotation direction and movement control in the axial direction in the rotation control machine without using another fixing member such as an E ring or a synthetic resin stop ring. It is possible to perform easily and reliably with only the locking member and the locking member provided on the stationary frame means, ensuring an excellent fixing function and detachable operability at a minimum cost, and complicated parts management It is also necessary to provide a novel rotation controller fixing mechanism that does not require the above.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, there is provided a fixing mechanism for a rotation controller which is inserted into a shaft supported by the support wall means so as to be relatively rotatable and detachable.
The case of the rotation controller is integrally provided with a locked plate member that extends outward in the radial direction with a predetermined width and whose both side surfaces are substantially directed in the tangential direction of the rotation shaft. The stationary frame means disposed in the vicinity of the controller extends outward from the stationary frame means in the radial direction of the case with a predetermined width in parallel to each other in the axial direction and spaced apart from each other in the tangential direction. A pair of locking plate members are disposed, and both side surfaces in the width direction of the locking plate members are directed in the tangential direction, and locking grooves are formed in side edges that face each other at the tip portions. ,
One end of each of the locking plate members is plastically deformed substantially outward and inward in the radial direction of the shaft, thereby forming each locking groove at the tip of the locked plate member of the rotation controller. Engage with both side edges in to regulate the movement of the rotation controller in the rotational direction and axial direction,
A rotation controller fixing mechanism is provided.
The rotation controller is preferably an electromagnetically controlled spring clutch of the image forming apparatus.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a fixing mechanism for a rotation controller configured according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0009]
Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of side walls constituting a supporting wall means (not shown) are disposed opposite to each other in a main body of an image forming apparatus (not shown), and a conveying roller (not shown) is provided between the side walls. Is rotatably supported via the shaft 2. One end portion of the shaft (rotating shaft) 2 of the conveying roller is protruded outward from one side wall (not shown). A rotation controller, in the illustrated embodiment, an electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is supported on the one end of the shaft 2 so as to be relatively rotatable. The electromagnetically controlled spring clutch 10 having a configuration known per se includes a case 12. In the case 12 having a circular outer peripheral surface, a bobbin containing an electromagnetic coil, an armature, a pair of boss members, a coil spring wound over each outer peripheral surface of the boss member, and an input gear as an input member ( (Both not shown) are arranged on a common axis and built in, and a fitting hole 14 is formed in the center portion so that the fitting hole 14 can be detachably fitted to the shaft 2. The fitting hole 14 is formed by a plurality of rotating members among the members built in the case 12. The one end portion (most end portion) of the shaft 2 has a so-called D-cut shape, and a part of the fitting hole 14 also has a shape corresponding thereto.
[0010]
A locked plate member 20 made of an appropriate metal plate is disposed integrally with the case 12 at the peripheral edge of one end surface in the axial direction of the case 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the locked plate member 20 has a substantially U shape when viewed in the axial direction, extends outward in the radial direction with a predetermined width (full width), and substantially has both side surfaces 22 and 24 in the width direction. Is directed in the tangential direction of the fitting hole 14 (therefore, the tangential direction of the shaft 2). The locked plate member 20 has a U-shaped base portion fixed to one end surface of the case 12 in the axial direction.
[0011]
Within the main body of the image forming apparatus, a stationary frame plate member 30 constituting a stationary frame means is disposed outside one of the side walls. A stationary frame plate member 30 made of an appropriate metal plate is integrally formed with a pair of locking plate members 32 and 34 that can be plastically deformed. Each of the locking plate members 32 and 34 each having a rectangular shape in plan view is linearly parallel to each other linearly in the axial direction with a predetermined width from the stationary frame plate member 30 outward in the radial direction of the case 12. Are extended at intervals in the tangential direction. Both side surfaces 32a and 32b in the width direction of the locking plate member 32 and both side surfaces 34a and 34b in the width direction of the locking plate member 34 are respectively directed in the tangential direction and opposite to each other at the front end portions. Channel-shaped locking grooves 32c and 34c are formed on the side edges (including the side surfaces 32b and 34b facing each other), respectively. The open ends and closed ends of the locking grooves 32c and 34c are arranged to face each other, and the width of each of the locking grooves 32c and 34c is slightly larger than the plate thickness of the locked plate member 20. The distance between the closed ends of the locking grooves 32c and 34c is slightly larger than the entire width of the locked plate member 20. One of the locking plate members 32 and 34 configured as described above, in the embodiment, one locking plate member 32 has a distal end portion in the front and back direction with the base end as a fulcrum (see FIG. The material, length, width, plate thickness, and the like are set so that they can be plastically deformed in the vertical direction in FIG. Since the front and back surfaces of the locking plate members 32 and 34 are positioned so as to oppose each other in the radial direction of the shaft 2, one locking plate member 32 has a distal end portion substantially at the base end thereof as a fulcrum. It moves in the radial direction and is plastically deformed. In this embodiment, the locking plate members 32 and 34 are formed integrally with the stationary frame plate member 30, but the plate member formed integrally with the locking plate members 32 and 34 is a stationary frame plate member 30. You may comprise so that it may attach to. Further, the stationary frame plate member 30 or the locking plate members 32 and 34 may be disposed integrally or separately on a side wall (not shown) that supports the shaft 2.
[0012]
The electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is supported so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft 2 and relatively movable in the axial direction by inserting the fitting hole 14 into a predetermined position at one end of the shaft 2. This insertion operation is performed so that the locked plate member 20 fixed to the case 12 of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 does not interfere with each of the locking plate members 32 and 34 formed on the stationary frame plate member 30. The locked plate member 20 is shifted in the circumferential direction. Before the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is inserted into the shaft 2 and supported so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction, each of the locking plate members 32 and 34 formed on the stationary frame plate member 30 in advance. In any one of the embodiments, one of the locking plate members 32 is temporarily plastically deformed to a retracted position (not shown) by applying a force radially outward with respect to the shaft 2 in the front and back direction. (Or plastic deformation after the insertion).
[0013]
Subsequently, the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is rotated around the shaft 2 in the clockwise direction in FIG. This rotation is caused by the radially inner position of one locking plate member 32 in which the locked plate member 20 fixed to the case 12 of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is temporarily plastically deformed to the retracted position. Pass through in the circumferential direction. The locked plate member 20 is rotated without interfering with one of the locking plate members 32. The side edge portion (the side edge portion including the side surface 24) of the side surface 24 located on the front side in the rotational direction of the locked plate member 20 is not deformed plastically. Locking in the locking groove 34c prevents the rotation. Subsequently, a force is applied to one of the locking plate members 32 plastically deformed to the retracted position in the opposite direction (from the outside in the radial direction to the inside of the shaft 2, that is, in the direction approaching the shaft 2). To plastically deform the original molding state. By this returning operation, the locking groove 32c of the one locking plate member 32 causes the side edge portion (the side surface 22 of the locking plate member 20 at the distal end portion of the side surface 22 positioned on the rear side in the rotation direction). The side edge portion is engaged from the tip. Since both side edges 22 and 24 at the front end of the locked plate member 20 and both side edges including the front and back surfaces are sandwiched by the locking grooves 32 c and 34 c of the locking plate members 32 and 34, the locked plate member 20. The movement in the rotational direction and the axial direction with respect to the shaft 2 is restricted. Accordingly, the rotation of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 in the rotational direction and the axial direction with respect to the shaft 2 is firmly restricted. When the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is disengaged from the shaft 2, an operation substantially opposite to the above mounting operation may be performed. Thus, according to the present invention, the shaft 2 of the electromagnetically controlled spring clutch 10 can be obtained by plastically deforming one of the locking plate members 32 and 34 outwardly and inwardly in the radial direction of the shaft 2. The movement in the rotational direction and the axial direction with respect to can be firmly regulated, so that it is extremely useful in practice.
[0014]
When the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is fitted to the shaft 2, the shaft 2 is fitted and supported in the center hole of each member (particularly a rotating member) built in the case 12. The shaft 2 is drive-coupled (by the above-described D-cut portion) so as not to rotate relative to (which constitutes the output member) of the pair of boss members around which the coil spring is wound. Can be rotated relative to each other. Since one of the boss members to which the shaft 2 is drive-coupled (which constitutes an output member) is rotatable relative to the case 12, in the state where the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is only fitted to the shaft 2, On the other hand, the movement in the rotational direction and the axial direction is not substantially restricted. An input gear as an input member is drivingly coupled to a transmission gear disposed in the image forming apparatus main body.
[0015]
According to the fixing mechanism of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 described above, one of each of the locking plate members 32 and 34 disposed on the stationary frame plate member 30 is made substantially outward in the radial direction of the shaft 2. Then, by causing plastic deformation inwardly, the respective locking grooves 32c and 34c are engaged with both side edge portions at the front end portion of the locked plate member 20 of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 to rotate the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10. The movement in the direction and the axial direction can be restricted. As a result, the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 can be controlled in the rotational direction and in the axial direction without using a separate fixing member such as an E ring or a synthetic resin stop ring. This can be easily and reliably performed only by the locked member 20 provided in the clutch 10 and the locking plate members 32 and 34 provided in the stationary frame plate member 30. In addition, the number of parts is reduced, and cost reduction is achieved. Furthermore, since the E-ring is not used, it is not necessary to use a special tool, and the attaching / detaching operation of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is remarkably facilitated. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form an annular groove on the shaft 2 for mounting an E ring or a synthetic resin stop ring, the number of production steps can be reduced, and cost reduction can be achieved also in this aspect. The Furthermore, since it is not necessary to use an E-ring or a stop ring made of synthetic resin, there is no possibility that these parts will be lost when parts are replaced by a service person, and management of the parts becomes easy.
[0016]
In the above-described embodiment, the rotation controller is configured by the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10. However, if the rotation controller has a technical problem substantially similar to that described above, other forms (for example, a spring) Needless to say, the present invention can be applied even to an electromagnetic clutch that does not use the above. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the to-be-latched plate member 20 of the electromagnetic control spring clutch 10 is orient | assigned to the upper direction of the substantially perpendicular direction, you may face in any direction centering on the axis | shaft 2. FIG. Needless to say, each of the locking plate members 32 and 34 disposed on the stationary frame plate member 30 is disposed at a position corresponding to the direction of the locked plate member 20.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to the fixing mechanism of the rotation controller according to the present invention, the movement restriction in the rotation direction and the movement restriction in the axial direction of the rotation controller can be performed without using a separate fixing member such as an E ring or a synthetic resin stop ring. It can be done easily and reliably with only the locked member provided on the rotation controller and the locking member provided on the stationary frame means, ensuring excellent fixing function and detachable operability with minimum cost. In addition, complicated parts management is not required.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a fixing mechanism of a rotation controller constructed according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 axis (rotary axis)
10 Electromagnetic control spring clutch 12 Case 14 Fitting hole 20 Locked plate members 22, 24 Side surface 30 of locked plate member Stationary frame plate members 32, 34 Locking plate members 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b Locking plate member Side surface 32c, 34c Locking groove

Claims

支持壁手段に支持された軸に相対回転自在にかつ離脱自在に挿入される回転制御機の固定機構であって、
回転制御機のケースには、所定の幅をもって半径方向外方に延び出すと共に幅方向両側面が実質的に回転軸の接線方向に向けられた被係止板部材が一体に配設され、回転制御機の近傍に配設された静止枠手段には、静止枠手段からケースの半径方向外方を所定の幅をもって軸方向に相互に平行にかつ相互に該接線方向に間隔をおいて延び出す一対の係止板部材が配設され、係止板部材の各々の幅方向両側面は該接線方向に向けられると共に各々の先端部において相互に対向する側縁部には係止溝が形成され、
係止板部材の各々のうちのいずれか一方を実質的に該軸の半径方向外方及び内方に塑性変形させることにより各々の係止溝を回転制御機の被係止板部材の先端部における両側縁部に係合させて、回転制御機の回転方向及び軸方向の移動を規制する、
ことを特徴とする回転制御機の固定機構。A rotation mechanism fixing mechanism that is inserted into a shaft supported by the support wall means so as to be relatively rotatable and detachable.
The case of the rotation controller is integrally provided with a locked plate member extending outward in the radial direction with a predetermined width and having both sides in the width direction substantially directed to the tangential direction of the rotation shaft. The stationary frame means disposed in the vicinity of the controller extends outward from the stationary frame means in the radial direction of the case with a predetermined width in parallel to each other in the axial direction and spaced apart from each other in the tangential direction. A pair of locking plate members are disposed, and both side surfaces in the width direction of the locking plate members are directed in the tangential direction, and locking grooves are formed in the side edges facing each other at the respective leading end portions. ,
One end of each of the locking plate members is plastically deformed substantially outward and inward in the radial direction of the shaft, thereby forming each locking groove at the tip of the locked plate member of the rotation controller. Engaging with both side edge portions in to restrict the movement of the rotation controller in the rotational direction and the axial direction,
A rotation control machine fixing mechanism.

回転制御機は、画像形成装置の電磁制御ばねクラッチである、請求項１記載の回転制御機の固定機構。The rotation control machine fixing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control machine is an electromagnetic control spring clutch of the image forming apparatus.